Samoan powerhouse Alesana Tuilagi, a former Premiership top try-scorer, is among a summer influx at Kingston Park aimed at improving the club’s record as the bluntest finishing force in England’s top flight.

Blair, the 85-times-capped Scotland scrum-half, said: “The signings have been really good this year, and whenever someone has been announced there has been a feeling among the boys that they will add something to the group.

“The Tuilagi brothers (Samoa) and Josh Furno (Italy) are international calibre guys, and I think they will make a big difference.”

Adding a ruthless edge to neat approach play, Blair added: “If you look across the squad we have got a bit of firepower now, whereas last season we had some nice players and guys who could create space, but not necessarily the guys who can score from a one-on-one.

“Having guys capable of running over the top of somebody makes such a difference when you compare the top teams to those around the bottom, even if the number of opportunities created is roughly the same.

“For example, Leicester have someone like Vereniki Goneva who scores from one-on-ones.

“You can do all the pretty stuff you like in the middle of the field, but if you can’t finish them you will struggle.

“We have that now, and there is plenty of power in the pack as well as athleticism. We have options across the pitch, and that is not a bad place in which to be.”

Getting stuck into a summer of graft, the Scot said: “It is a long pre-season and we are a month away from our first game.

“But we are also away for a week later this month, so we really only have three weeks’ worth of work before that opening friendly in Bayonne on August 7.”

Having been in the TV commentary box for Scotland’s North American tour as well as dabbling in a spot of written journalism, Blair admitted he already has an eye on a media career when his playing days finally come to an end.

The former Brive and Edinburgh man said: “I really like doing the media stuff, and I want to keep it up.

“I am 33 now, and I certainly don’t have another five years in me as a player.

“I have an eye on what is going to happen down the line, so I am doing a few bits and bobs like writing a Scotland column for the BBC, some summarising and punditry for BT Sport.

“It is good fun and I am looking into that again, but it also makes you think about the game a bit more. You view things from another perspective, and it has been really useful for me.”